Miles Davis

Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Miles Dewey Davis (26 May 1926 - 28 September 1991) was one of the major figures of jazz (a word he disliked). As the youngest member of Charlie Parker’s band, he was part of the be-bop revolution that ushered in modern jazz. His collaboration with arranger Gil Evans produced the famous albums Miles Ahead, Sketches of Spain and (after Gershwin) Porgy and Bess. Later, inspired among others by Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone, he was the principal pioneer of jazz-rock, also known as fusion, beginning with the albums In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew. His 'going electric' in 1970 outraged some of his older fans, recalling Bob Dylan's similar move a few years earlier.

Three bands showing the different stages of Miles's career:

The sextet of the 1950s: John Coltrane (tenor saxophone), Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone), Red Garland, later replaced by Wynton Kelly (piano), Sam Jones (bass), Philly Joe Jones (drums).

On Kind of Blue, jazz's most popular album, Kelly is replaced on most tracks by Bill Evans.

The quintet of the 1960s: Wayne Shorter (tenor sax), Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass), Tony Williams (drums).

Electric Miles as captured on the film of his appearance at the Isle of Wight festival: Gary Bartz (alto and tenor saxes), Keith Jarrett (organ), Chick Corea (electric piano), Dave Holland (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums), Airto Moreira (percussion).

Some of the other musicians who passed through Miles's bands were saxophononists Gerry Mulligan, Sam Rivers, George Coleman, Steve Grossman, Dave Liebman, Carlos Garnett and Sonny Fortune; pianist Victor Feldman; organist Larry Young; guitarists John McLaughlin and Pete Cosey; drummers Frank Butler and Billy Cobham, and percussionist James Mtume.